Looking at Leica

Some years back, I decided that if Leica ever made a digital camera for its M lenses, I would buy one or two for my professional work. A compact digital rangefinder with great lenses is a very attractive concept. However, when Leica finally introduced it’s digital M8 late in 2006, I put that decision on hold due to various issues:

modest high ISO performance (compared with Canon and now Nikon) from a Kodak sensor

Some of the initial batch of cameras also suffered from a serious “sudden death syndrome” (SDS) which required a one or two month trip for repair in Germany.

I know there are photographers (amateur and pro) happily using their M8s despite these issues, sometimes along with DSLRs. At least a few are producing beautiful work. For me, the list of issues was consistent with a first generation product still in need of many refinements. I was reminded of the Canon D30 and 1D, remarkable products at one time, but not nearly as good as subsequent generations of those cameras.

While I haven’t completely ruled out the M8, I’m optimistic that the next version of this camera (and perhaps a new lens or two) will address most of these issues. Leica has already announced the availability of a quieter shutter. A recent interview with the owner and CEO indicates that the company is in good hands.

Update, June 30, 2008: After an M8 “test drive” I can say that few of these issues would be significant if I were committed to using a rangefinder. None of them is a dealbreaker by itself, and some of them are truly minor. The frame lines, for example, are inaccurate but predictably so; you quickly learn to compensate. The power switch was pretty firm on my test camera. White balance was good. The IR-cut filters are hardly noticeable. I didn’t see any moire or light streaks. The loudness was perfectly acceptable. I still wish there were a quicker way to adjust exposure compensation, preferably without having to remove the camera from the eye.